U.S. patent application number 10/344313 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for method for simplifying the exchange of a sim card of subscribers of a digital mobile communications network.
Invention is credited to Reemtsma, Jan-Hinnerk.
Application Number | 20050075137 10/344313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7652508 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050075137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reemtsma, Jan-Hinnerk |
April 7, 2005 |
Method for simplifying the exchange of a sim card of subscribers of
a digital mobile communications network
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for simplifying the exchange
of a SIM card of subscribers of a digital mobile communications
network. According to the invention, the subscriber disposes of an
old active SIM card and of a new inactive SIM card for use in a
mobile terminal. The invention provides that the proper activation
of the new SIM card and deactivation of the old SIM card are
carried out while in dialog with the subscriber via a migration
server connected to the mobile communications network.
Inventors: |
Reemtsma, Jan-Hinnerk;
(Bonn, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lackenbach Siegel
One Chase Road
Scarsdale
NY
10583
US
|
Family ID: |
7652508 |
Appl. No.: |
10/344313 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
August 9, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE01/02953 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/559 ;
455/411; 455/422.1; 455/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 8/265 20130101;
H04W 12/04 20130101; G06Q 20/3552 20130101; H04W 12/35
20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/559 ;
455/422.1; 455/424; 455/411 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 007/20; H04M
001/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 10, 2000 |
DE |
10039861.8 |
Claims
1. Method for the simplified exchange of an SIM card at the
subscribers of a digital mobile communication network, where the
subscriber has at his disposal an old active SIM card and a new
inactive SIM card for operation in a mobile terminal device,
characterized in that the correct activation of the new SIM card
(8) and deactivation of the old SIM card is carried out in dialog
with the subscriber (10) through a migration server (12) connected
to the mobile communication network (11).
2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the steps:
sending a message with given content from the mobile terminal
device (10) to the migration server (12) utilizing the old SIM
card; activating the new SIM card (8) through the migration server
(12); notifying the subscriber (10) that the new SIM card (8) can
be exchanged against the old card; exchanging the SIM card (8) in
the mobile terminal device, and deactivating the old SIM card
through the migration server (12) as soon as the subscriber logs
for the first time with the new SIM card (8) into the mobile
communication network (11).
3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the new
SIM card (8) is only activated after its receipt has been confirmed
with certainty by the subscriber.
4. Method as claimed in one or several of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the message is an SMS or an e-mail
message.
5. Method as claimed in one or several of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the exchange of the SIM card (8) can take
place at a point in time freely selectable by the subscriber.
6. Method as claimed in one or several of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the migration server (12) queries personal
data of the subscriber residing on the old SIM card, intermediately
stores them and, during the initial log-in with the new SIM card
(8), transfers these onto it.
7. Method as claimed in one or several of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the subscriber receives over his terminal
device (10) information about the procedure to follow with the old
SIM card.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method for the simplified
exchange of an SIM card at the subscribers of a digital mobile
communication network.
[0002] During the introduction of new mobile radio products and
mobile radio services by a mobile radio provider, it is often
helpful or even required to replace the subscriber identity module
(SIM card) in the case of existing clients. With a client base of
several million subscribers this represents a considerable problem
of logistics, since it is necessary to ensure that each subscriber
receives his personalized SIM card and only one card per
subscriber, i.e. either the "old" or the "new", is activated.
[0003] Up to now there is no known method which permits the simple
exchange of the SIM card in mobile communication networks. To
prevent misuse, it is necessary that the client either personally
picks up his new card at the mobile radio provider's location or
exchanges the old card against a new one or, after having received
the card by mail, confirms its receipt in writing. The old card can
subsequently be deactivated and the new one can be activated. In
contrast to bank cards, it is absolutely necessary to prevent that
both cards are simultaneously active in the mobile communication
network. The process employed up to now is manual and, due to the
costs incurred, unsuitable for the mass migration of existing
customers.
[0004] The invention addresses the problem of proposing a method
for the simplified exchange of an SIM card at the subscribers of a
digital mobile communication network, which requires minimum
logistics expenditures for the network operator as well as also the
subscriber.
[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention through
the characteristics of patent claim 1.
[0006] The invention provides that the correct activation of the
new SIM card and the deactivation of the old SIM card is carried
out in dialog with the subscriber through a migration server
connected to the mobile communication network. In a preferred
procedural approach the transmission takes place of a message with
given content from the mobile terminal device to the migration
server utilizing the old SIM card; activation of the new SIM card
through the migration server; notification of the subscriber,
preferably via the mobile terminal device, that the new SIM card
can be exchanged against the old one; the exchange of the SIM card
in the mobile terminal device by the subscriber; and the
deactivation of the old SIM card by the migration server as soon as
the subscriber initially logs into the mobile communication network
with the new SIM card.
[0007] The advantages of the method according to the invention are
obvious.
[0008] It involves an automated process
[0009] Misuse of the SIM cards is virtually excluded
[0010] Subscribers can determine themselves when switching to the
new card is to take place
[0011] Mass market migration becomes possible
[0012] From the point of view of the subscriber the method is
simple, i.e. a low level of customer service support is to be
expected
[0013] A "sliding" migration is possible, which means peak loads in
the network and the customer administration can be avoided
[0014] The proposed server solution is scalable
[0015] The proposed server solution minimizes expenditures in the
network.
[0016] In order to ensure that the subscriber has received his
personalized new SIM card, he must confirm with certainty the
receipt of the new SIM card. The exchange of the message between
mobile terminal device and migration server preferably takes place
by means of short messages (SMS). However, other methods can also
be employed, such as for example e-mail, voice input etc. A further
advantage of the invention is that the exchange of the SIM cards
can occur at a point in time which is freely selectable by the
subscriber. Only after the change of the SIM cards and the initial
log-in into the mobile communication network is the old card
deactivated.
[0017] It can moreover be provided that the migration server
queries personal data of the subscriber residing on the old SIM
card, intermediately stores them and transfers them onto the new
SIM card during the initial log-in with this new card. These
personal data can, for example, be the electronic telephone book of
the subscriber. During the initial log-in with the new SIM card,
the subscriber can preferably via his terminal device be informed
with respect to the procedure to follow with the old SIM card.
[0018] In the following in conjunction with FIG. 1 of the drawing
the method according to the invention and the tasks of the SIM card
migration server will be explained more precisely. Based on the
drawing and its description further characteristics and advantages
of the invention are evident.
[0019] Step 1 of the method:
[0020] The new SIM card 8 already personalized but not yet enabled
in the mobile communication network 11 is sent to the subscriber 10
for example together with the monthly billing statement 9 by the
billing center 7. In the same mail (packet) the subscriber 10
receives detailed information regarding the additional features
accessible to him with his new SIM card 8. He is further informed
that he must confirm receipt of the SIM card 8 by means of, for
example, an SMS at a freely selectable point in time.
[0021] Step 2 of the method:
[0022] With his old SIM card in the terminal device, the subscriber
10 sends an SMS or the like with predetermined content, for example
"Acknowledge Receipt SIM" to the SIM card migration server 12
connected to the mobile communication network 11.
[0023] Step 3 of the method:
[0024] The SIM card migration server 12 activates the new SIM card
8 in network 11, i.e. the new SIM card is enabled and thereby
recognized and accepted during the log-in from the mobile
communication network. Now the migration server 12 can also
optionally query and store data stored by the subscriber 10 on the
old card, such as the telephone book.
[0025] [sic: Step 4 of the method:]
[0026] The SIM card migration server 12 informs the subscriber that
starting forthwith he can exchange the SIM card 8.
[0027] Step 5 of the method:
[0028] The subscriber 10 exchanges the SIM card 8 in his terminal
device.
[0029] Step 6 of the method:
[0030] As soon as the subscriber 10 logs into the network 11 for
the first time using his new SIM card 8, the HLR (home location
register) 13 informs the SIM card migration server 12 (Step 6a),
which thereupon deactivates the old SIM card (Step 6b). The
notification of the server 12 can optionally also take place from
the terminal device 10 for example via an SIM toolkit
application.
[0031] If in Step 3 the personal data stored by subscriber 10 on
the old SIM card have been saved, these can now be transferred to
the new SIM card 8. The subscriber furthermore can now again be
informed again with respect to the procedure to follow with the old
card.
DRAWING LEGEND
[0032] 1 Method step
[0033] 2 Method step
[0034] 3 Method step
[0035] 4 Method step
[0036] 5 Method step
[0037] 6 Method step 6a, 6b
[0038] 7 Billing Center (BC)
[0039] 8 SIM card
[0040] 9 Billing statement
[0041] 10 Subscriber (terminal device)
[0042] 11 Mobile communication network
[0043] 12 SIM migration server
[0044] 13 Home data base (HLR--home location register)
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